5 most disappointing Vikings from their Week 1 loss to the Packers

Cameron Dantzler – CB

Cameron Dantzler is a rookie, so he gets some leniency here. But his performance against the Packers was a tough and brutal way to get welcomed to the NFL.

Dantzler was picked on early and often in the game and he gave up plenty of big plays to Green Bay receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

Valdes-Scantling went off with four receptions for 96 yards and one touchdown. His numbers would’ve been even better on Sunday had he not suffered a couple of real bad drops.

Not only did Dantzler struggle in coverage, but he also missed his fair share of tackles. Early in the game, he came up to make a hit and he either lowered his head and missed or he failed to wrap up the ball-carrier, allowing the Packers to pick up extra yardage.

While Dantzler was a third-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft and the expectations for him should be held a little in check, his excellent training camp is what made fans and those in the media expect to see a much stronger performance out of him during his debut in Week 1.

Every day in camp this summer, we heard reports of how Dantzler was making jaw-dropping plays in coverage and even being able to stick stride-for-stride with Adam Thielen at times. Maybe the expectations were too high for this kid on Sunday. But for him to look as lost as he did, it was definitely disappointing.

The good news for Dantzler is that he got a lot of reps against Green Bay. He can learn from the game and come back stronger and even more prepared to face another NFL offense in Week 2.